The 2008 Varsity Cup was contested from 18 February to 7 April 2008. The tournament (also known as the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International for sponsorship reasons) was the first season of the Varsity Cup, an annual inter-university rugby union competition featuring eight South African universities.
The tournament was won by Maties, who beat UCT Ikey Tigers 16–10 in the final played on 7 April 2008.
Competition
There were eight participating universities in the 2008 Varsity Cup. These teams played each other once over the course of the season. Most matches were played at the venue for either team, but the Round Five, Six and Seven matches were played at Outeniqua Park in George over the Easter weekend.
Teams received four points for a win and two points for a draw. Bonus points were awarded to teams that scored four or more tries in a game, as well as to teams that lost a match by seven points or less. Teams were ranked by log points, then points difference (points scored less points conceded).
The top four teams qualified for the title play-offs. In the semi-finals, the team that finished first had home advantage against the team that finished fourth, while the team that finished second had home advantage against the team that finished third. The winners of these semi-finals played each other in the final, at the home venue of the higher-placed team.
Points breakdown: *4 points for a win *2 points for a draw *1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less *1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match
Try:Gerhard van den Heever 30' c Ignick Windvogel 69' m Charl Coetzer 78' c Erich van der Westhuizen 80' m Con: Reinard Kruger (1/2) 31' Chandré Boshoff (1/2) 79' Cards: Tom Seabela 13' to 23'
Try: Craig Ross 26' c William Fick 61' c Morné van der Westhuyzen 80' c Con: Kit Branch (3/3) 27', 62', 80+1' Pen: Kit Branch (1/1) 37' Cards:Kenneth Snodgrass 5' to 15' Wesley Kew 59' to 69' Kit Branch 65' to 75'
Try:Rowan Walters 5' m Vaatjie Koorsen 30' c Wouter Stieger 44' c Hadley Smith 46' c Con: Jan du Toit (3/4) 31', 45', 47' Pen: Jan du Toit (5/5) 9', 42', 57', 64', 75' Cards: Frans la Grange 52' to 62' Theo Cwaile 76'
Try:Gert Lubbe 21' c Johan van Heerden (2) 44' c, 57' c Gerhard van den Heever (2) 52' m, 67' m Oscar Mfundisi 78' c Con: Chandré Boshoff (3/5) 22', 45', 58' Joey Mongalo (1/1) 79' Pen: Chandré Boshoff (2/2) 19', 30'